Photo: Messenger
For the second year in a row, the Fratelli Tutti Foundation is poised to host the latest edition of the World Meeting on Human Fraternity, #BeHuman. The initiative, entitled "Ideas and encounters for fraternity: Let us build together a world of peace", aims, as always to build a new humanism based on the values of solidarity and social friendship. A significant group of internationally renowned individuals will convene to discuss and develop tangible solutions centered on the uniting topic of universal fraternity. The heads of international organisations like the African Union and the United Nations, along with leaders from business, academia, science, and civil society, form a large global village, gathered around 12 thematic tables spread between Rome and Vatican City.
Moreover, thirty Nobel Peace Prize winners, including Muhammad Yunus, will be in attendance. Guests will talk about peace, sustainable development, the social economy, education, sports, health, decent work, and many other topics related to the common good of humanity. The program includes plenary sessions, workshops, cultural events, and moments of spirituality. This is not the first time that Rome has hosted such a festival. June 2023 also saw the signing of the "Declaration of Rome," the founding act of the Foundation of the same name desired by the Pope to promote fraternity everywhere.
It is regrettable to see that the Fratelli Tutti Foundation undermined the genuine essence of the event this year by inviting Professor Yunus, a highly controversial figure. Any member of this organisation would be surprised to know that, using these types of forums, Professor Yunus is building a network with the worlds most influential people to shield his financial misdeeds. By leveraging this types of international platforms, he has been attempting to deflect and avoid the grave allegations that have emerged against him and his business practices. The invited guests must be aware that by utilising powerful international connections and employing "statement diplomacy" to portray himself as the victim, Professor Yunus is making every effort to obstruct the legal proceedings ongoing against him in his home country.
For decades, Muhammad Yunus maintained the attention of the worldwide society, as well as global celebrities and politicians, by continuing to promote himself as the "saviour of the poor," the "father of microcredit," a beacon of social entrepreneurship, and the founder of Grameen Bank. However, extensive research revealed that in Bangladesh, millions of impoverished people are visibly bleeding as a result of Prof. Yunus's debt trap of many microfinance companies. Tom Heinemann, a Danish investigative journalist, showed how Muhammad Yunus charged excessive interest rates ranging from 21 to 37 percent to vulnerable impoverished female borrowers while receiving the majority of the cash as a gift from several governments throughout the world. But, paradoxically, Yunus' celebrity status and extensive public relations approach may be keeping many people from learning the truth about his problematic business methods.
Dr. Yunus has received considerable appreciation, but new charges of misuse of foreign grant funding have raised major concerns about his institutions' accountability and transparency. The claims, in particular, allege that foreign donations intended to strengthen marginalised populations were diverted for personal benefit or used to boost Dr. Yunus' influence and prestige. These claims called into question Professor Muhammad Yunus's image as an advocate of economic empowerment and social justice.
Again, Dr. Yunus has a history of significant financial misconduct, including tax fraud, embezzlement through his controlled companies and institutions, and personal income tax. He diverted 36 billion taka from Grameen Telecom's employee welfare fund's accumulated 5% dividend to another firm as a donation in order to avoid paying a large sum of money. Tom Hahnemann's documentary, "The Micro Debt," discovered a lot of hidden papers revealing how Muhammad Yunus allegedly duped his country's people and accumulated millions of dollars, all while maintaining a captivating public persona that charmed the Western world. Dr. Yunus also violated Bangladesh's employment legislation. On January 1, 2024, a labour court in Dhaka, Bangladesh, convicted Grameen Telecom chairman and controversial Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus and three others to six months in jail in a labour law violation case.
Despite having received the Nobel Peace Prize, Dr. Yunus has never been known to be vocal or engaged in any humanitarian crisis. During the latest Palestinian conflict, he did not even issue a statement in support of a peaceful resolution in Gaza. Similarly, Dr. Yunus did not have any impactful activity to solve the Rohingya crisis despite having influential friends. These actions by Dr. Yunus raised considerable concerns about his genuine motives. Despite problems and criticism, Yunus has significant backing from Western officials and funders since he solely serves their interests. If he ever gains political power in Bangladesh, it is thought that he will dedicate him to further Western interests.
Yunus has used his Nobel Peace Prize as a cover to draw attention away from serious charges of labour law violations against him. Previously, he conducted international media campaigns to shift attention away from ethical and legal issues. Using his global network, Yunus has been able to arrange international petitions and letters in his favour. He utilises western forums to put undue pressure on the Bangladeshi government and legal system. It is quite possible that he would use the Human Fraternity Conference to create a narrative in which he is a victim of political objectives in Bangladesh, thereby gaining worldwide support.
People all across the globe should comprehend that by promoting poverty alleviation, Yunus built a network of the world's most influential people to protect his financial misdeeds. As a result, Western groups must resist the temptation to invite this controversial individual to their forums, instead thoroughly investigating the charges against him and advocating for greater transparency and accountability in the microfinance sector, he handled. Maintaining ethical standards and encouraging honesty should be top considerations, even when it comes to respected leaders like Yunus.
Only by holding individuals and institutions responsible can we assure the long-term success and credibility of global poverty-reduction and economic empowerment initiatives. Endorsing Yunus without questioning his conduct risks encouraging possible abuses of power and eroding the legitimacy of important global forums. Finally, international venues should not be used to escape accountability. Rather, it should help resolve challenges in an open and responsible manner.
The writer is Assistant Professor and Chairman, Department of Criminology and Police Science, University of Chittagong.
Messenger/Disha
